How Ryan Kesler Slots In With Anaheim

2. Power-Play

Mar 10, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kesler (17) is congratulated by defenseman Kevin Bieksa (3) after scoring against New York Islanders goaltender Evgeni Nabokov (20) (not pictured) during the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Kesler also will most likely be slotted into the Ducks’ power-play units. With Nick Bonino traded, the Ducks need to replace him on one of the two groups. I believe that Ryan Kesler will be the main net-front presence on the Ducks’ first power-play group.

Even though Kesler is widely known as a premier two-way center, he is only three seasons removed from scoring 41 goals and 73 points. In that 2011 season, Kesler put up 30 points on the Vancouver power-play, including 15 goals. Kesler has 34 power-play goals in the last four seasons, including nine last season, which was more than what any player on the Ducks scored with the man advantage last season (Perry scored eight).

Ryan Kesler is a big, physical presence. The Ducks can plant him in front of the crease as an effective screener. He can crash the net, deflect shots from the point, and make passes from the crease area to the open man. Kesler is also a very effective faceoff man. One of the biggest problems with the Ducks was that, as a weak faceoff team, they would not win the puck from the circle. As a result, the Ducks would chase the puck and have to re-enter the offensive zone, killing about 20 seconds on the power-play. With Kesler, the Ducks can initiate their offense more efficiently and for longer periods of time. Putting Kesler on the first power-play also lets the team move Mathieu Perreault to the second unit as another puck handler. The Ducks’ power-play units should look as such:

Beleskey-Kesler-Perry
Fowler-Getzlaf

Perreault-Maroon-Palmieri
Lindholm/Beauchemin-Vatanen

The first unit still uses Getzlaf as a point man. Any of the three forwards up front in Matt Beleskey, Kesler, and Perry can use their size as a screener and crash the net effectively, while Fowler and Getzlaf act as the main puck-handlers on the unit. This unit should also be able to relentlessly forecheck and cycle the puck in the offensive zone because of the four big bodies. And in the case of miscommunications and errors, Fowler, Kesler, and Getzlaf are all defensively sound and responsible. Also, Kesler should be the primary faceoff candidate, just as Perreault was on the first unit.

By inserting Kesler into the first unit, the Ducks add a very productive power-play player. Perreault can act as a secondary puck handler to Sami Vatanen if the Ducks use Francois Beauchemin on the second unit for his big shot. If the team uses Hampus Lindholm, Perreault still has a spot on the left side, as Patrick Maroon would be the main net-front presence. Beleskey and Maroon can be switched if necessary.

The Ducks’ power-play was an area of concern for multiple stretches last season. Although the team had loads of offensive skill, the players were unable to cash in on many opportunities with the man advantage, starting the year at dead last for a good portion. The team finished 22nd in the league in power-play percentage in the regular season after finishing in fourth the year before. And although the team improved in the postseason, the Ducks knew that this was an area that they needed to improve on further in both ability and consistency.